To be considered for the programme, applicants must have a minimum viable product and a meaningful customer or business validation. This is not limited to revenue and can also be successful pilot studies, number of users and or strategic partnerships.

In addition, at least one full-time team member must be based in the country of operation.

Village Capital’s Africa Agriculture 2019 programme will consist of a cohort of 12 ventures

Enterprises that employ technology in delivering products and or services

Ventures that work across multiple commodities

Companies that leverage social networks in delivering their product and services

Urban agriculture, aquaculture, and hardware businesses

A cohort made up of 12 ventures will be selected for the programme which the VC is running with the support of Ceniarth and Small Foundation.

The cohort will then participate in three workshops each run over three days. The first will take place between 8 and 11 October, the second between 3 and 6 December, with the final one set for 14 to 17 January.

It is not yet clear where the workshops will take place, however selected startups are required to have at least one high-ranking executive attend all three workshops. Village Capital will bear flight and lodging costs for a team member to attend.

Village Capital, in a post on its website, says its award-winning curriculum encourages deep collaboration within the cohort and helps entrepreneurs explore and leverage business synergies among themselves.

Village Capital says the programme will help startups connect and interact with:

Leading investors, entrepreneurs, and other sector experts who will offer mentorship during workshops

Potential customers, partners, and other industry stakeholders, who will participate in business development sessions at the workshops

Featured image: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)